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Looking Ahead Angels watch over Weir in Spokane Internet based group will cheer on three-time U.S. Champ
(January 21, 2007) — When three time U.S. Champion Johnny Weir starts his quest for a fourth consecutive title Thursday at the U.S. Championships in Spokane, Wash., more than two dozen Angels will be supporting his every move. Johnny's Angels, an Internet message board based fan group with hundreds of members who have made a habit of supporting Weir through his career, will be in the stands at the Spokane Arena in anticipation of what could be a history making fourth U.S. title for the Newark, Del., based skater. Olympic Champion Brian Boitano was the last man to claim four straight titles, with his first in 1985 and his final victory coming in 1988. "I think he'll do great and it would be great to see him win his fourth consecutive title in person," Sharon said. She will be making the trip to Spokane from her home in Point Pleasant, N.J. to hold the official Johnny's Angels support banner. "It was made with love and lets Johnny know we are there, if just in spirit, supporting him and cheering him on," said Sue, an Oregon based fan who became an official member of the group after Weir won his second U.S. title in 2005. "I believe it has appeared at most competitions since 2003. We weren't able to send it to the Grand Prix final in St. Petersburg (Russia) because there was not enough time to get it there after the Marshall's event (in Boston)." The banner's absence from the 2006 Grand Prix Final, a competition that Johnny withdrew from after sustaining an injury in the short program, may have been the first time the banner has been missing from the stands of competition Weir skated in since 2003. But the Angels are sure to make up for the absence in St. Petersburg with spirit in Spokane, even if the winter weather puts a damper on their travels, as it has during past U.S. Championships. "I risked life and limb to see Johnny skate his long program at Portland nationals (in 2005)," Sue said. "It was so icy that morning. I live in a neighborhood of steep hills about 20 miles from the arena. Basically, the roads were like an ice rink and I had no way to drive to the arena which is what I had planned to do. "I was determined to see Johnny though, so I inched and slid my way down several hills, stopped to thaw at Starbucks, because I looked like an icicle, and then waited in the freezing rain for a bus to take pity on me and my friend and pick us up. We got to the light rail station, boarded the train and made it to the arena just in time for the final group warm-up. A trip that normally would have taken 45 minutes, took two hours." "I never would have gone out that day if it hadn't been for Johnny," Sue said. "It was worth it too." Figure Skaters Online talked to four Angels—Marie, Pamela, Sharon and Sue—who are making the trip to Spokane, about the group and their Angel, 2006 Olympian Johnny Weir. ____________________________________ Jamie: What are you looking forward to most in Spokane? Pamela: I really want to be a part of this each year – to see Johnny compete for this coveted title. Last year I would have come apart if he’d lost out for the top spot. I think this year I could live with that, as long as Johnny’s OK with everything. I just want to be there and be an integral part of it all. Jamie: If you could tell Johnny one thing on behalf of the Angels before he takes the ice to defend his title, what would you say? Marie: I always tell Johnny to do his best. Jamie: What one aspect of Johnny's skating will most impress the crowd in Spokane? Pamela: Well, that's the thing with Johnny—it's not just one thing. I’ve never been into the jumps myself but I love to watch him jump and even more to land—such ride out and line! And that’s probably what will wow the crowd the most. Hopefully, he’ll have a successful quad in there! For me, it’s his artistry coupled with his line and musicality. Of his elements, I actually prefer his footwork to everything else, but his spiral is magic. And I haven’t even mentioned his spins. Jamie: What attracted you to Johnny? Sharon: His artistry and the smoothness of his elements in between the jumps. He has a great gift of weaving everything together and drawing you in, the program is over before you know it, and you know you've seen something very special and unique. Jamie: How can someone become involved with the Angels? Sharon: I found the message board by doing a search on ezboard after watching Johnny in the 2004 Grand Prix, 2005 Nationals and Worlds. ... By joining the board, one post is all it takes. We love to get new members. Jamie: What sets Johnny's Angels apart from other fan groups? Pamela: First of all, there is an attempt to be protective of Johnny. In most fan groups anything goes, but not with the Angels. We mainly judge things by whether we think Johnny or his Mom would mind what we post or do. It’s not a matter of stifling information; it’s just a matter of respecting Johnny and doing what we think he’d most want. Secondly, it’s a very well organized Message Board with some marvelous extras. There’s no need to search the internet for Johnny videos and photos, because they’ll always end up on the message board anyway. Not only that, the administrators will have made sure items there are appropriately attributed and copyrights protected. I check it daily for such items along with new articles or the latest information. Thirdly, it’s become a haven during competitions. It’s a place to go while Johnny’s skating somewhere across the world; I can go into the chat room and talk with other like fans during the actual event. Together we figure out how to get the news fastest. Sometimes, we even figure out how to view Johnny as he skates via the web. If we don’t, then I’m pretty sure it can’t be done – at least for that competition! Fourthly, it’s a nice uncomplicated way to touch Johnny personally, because he answers our questions as Angels via the Rising Star website more readily than he does via his official website. And lastly, it’s a place for friendships. I’ve met so many of the Angels now – mostly online but several privately as well. We correspond and chat on the phone and get together for our own Johnny conventions. It’s healthy and it’s fun. Johnny has nice fans. Jamie: The Angels banner is the most noticeable support for Johnny. But how else do the Angels support him? Marie: Every year we design a scrapbook for his birthday. We have created a care package for him last season when he became injured at Skate Canada. We're always doing something. However, we mostly send him well wishes through cards and letters and at times send them as a group. Jamie: Thank you for taking the time to speak to Figure Skaters Online, Angels. ____________________________________ For more information on the Johnny's Angels, visit the Johnny Weir Message Board at p203.ezboard.com/bjohnnyweirmessageboard. [TOP] |
The Inside Edge
